Nancy Spains to open first Bristol pub
Independent Irish pub operator Nancy Spains is set to open its fourth UK venue in early October, marking its first site in Bristol.
The new pub will occupy the former Hall Pass, Native and Big Chill Bar premises on Small Street in the city’s Old Town, creating between 15 and 20 jobs.
The opening expands the group’s estate beyond its existing venues in Shoreditch, Monument and Manchester, with further UK sites planned.
The Bristol pub will accommodate up to 300 guests across the ground floor and a vaulted basement and will introduce a refreshed design that will become the blueprint for future Nancy Spains openings.
Co founder Peter O’Halloran said: “Bristol has exactly the qualities we look for when choosing a new city. It has an incredible culture, a strong sense of community and a brilliant independent hospitality scene.”
Nancy Spains is the exclusive flagship venue partner for Murphy’s Irish Stout in the UK, with the brand forming a central part of the drinks offer across its estate.
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M&B opens O’Neill’s in Birmingham after £1m investment
Mitchells & Butlers has reopened O’Neill’s New Street in Birmingham following a more than £1m refurbishment of the former Windsor pub.
The investment has transformed the city centre venue, including reopening its second floor for the first time in several years, creating a mezzanine style events space with its own stage for live entertainment.
The pub also features Birmingham’s first accessible Arrowsmiths digital darts oche, alongside three further interactive darts lanes, live sport screens and regular live music across both floors.
General manager Marianne Malthouse said: “We are very proud to be opening our doors to the brand new O’Neill’s New Street. Live music, live sport and our digital darts, Arrowsmiths, is everything you need, every day of the week, under one roof.”
Roxy Ball Room to open third London venue
Roxy Leisure will open its third London venue in Holborn on 26 August.
The 12,000sq ft site on Little Turnstile will become the group’s latest competitive socialising venue, following the opening of Roxy Ball Room Old Street in July, and will be the second London site to feature its Crazy Pool concept.
Alongside Crazy Pool, the venue will offer duck pin bowling, tech darts, shuffleboard, karaoke, beer pong, basketball, curling and American pool.
Marketing director Joel Mitchell said: “Introducing Roxy Ball Room to London last year was such an exciting moment for us, and the response has been incredible since opening our second venue on Old Street in Shoreditch. We’re thrilled to now open bookings for our third London venue.”
Founded in Leeds in 2013, Roxy Leisure now operates 13 Roxy Ball Room and eight Roxy Lanes venues across the UK.
Long term tenants buy historic West Lothian pub
Long term tenants Donald and Lynda McLauchlan have acquired the freehold of the Black Bull Inn in Mid Calder after operating the historic pub since 2009.
The 1747 village pub, which was previously owned by Iona Pub Partnership, was sold through Christie & Co for an undisclosed sum.
The acquisition returns the award winning West Lothian pub to free house status for the first time in more than 60 years, with the couple planning a programme of improvements while retaining its traditional character.
Donald McLauchlan said: “When the opportunity came up to buy the building, it was a chance to return this fabulous institution in the village back to a free house for the first time in over 60 years.”
The Black Bull Inn includes a function room and beer garden and has served the Mid Calder community since 1747.
Browns reopens West India Quay flagship after refurb
Mitchells & Butlers has reopened its Browns Brasserie & Bar at West India Quay following an extensive refurbishment of the 467 cover waterside venue.
The Grade I listed former sugar warehouse has been redesigned to blend its maritime heritage with Browns’ premium brasserie style, while retaining original steelwork and exposed brickwork.
The investment includes a refurbished 254 cover terrace with a new outdoor bar and retractable roof, alongside a new 50 cover private dining and events space, the Cellar Bar, aimed at strengthening the site’s corporate offer.
General manager Laszlo Szaraz said: “The redesign strengthens our premium all day proposition, creating a more versatile space for a range of occasions, from corporate meetings and business groups to relaxed dining and social gatherings.”
The reopening marks the latest investment in the Browns estate, which comprises 27 sites across the UK, including five in London.
Clerkenwell speakeasy brought to market for £200k
The lease for Clerkenwell cocktail bar Rabbit’s Hole has been brought to market with a £200,000 asking price.
Christie & Co has been instructed to sell the leasehold interest in the basement speakeasy, which has capacity for 35 seated and 50 standing guests and is known for its menu of more than 100 cocktails.
Located in the heart of Clerkenwell, the venue benefits from nearby office workers and attractions including Smithfield Market and Exmouth Market.
Current leaseholder Ajay Kasli, who has operated the business for around 20 years, is selling to relocate overseas.
Kasli said: “This is a very reluctant sale due to a family decision to relocate overseas. We genuinely believe the business still has incredible growth potential.”
Christie & Co associate director David Wilson said the sale presented “a rare opportunity” to acquire an established speakeasy cocktail bar in a prime central London location.
Star invests £418k to revive music pub
Star Pubs is investing £418k to reopen Leicester music venue the Donkey alongside operators Jonathan and Ollie Wainright.
The brothers, who already operate the Cradock Arms and the Clarendon in the city, will reopen the Welford Road pub in mid September following a major refurbishment creating 20 jobs.
The investment will transform the late 1800s venue with a refurbished music space, new kitchen, upgraded cellar and a festival inspired garden featuring its own bar, stage and outdoor screens.
The relaunched pub will combine a street food menu with a programme of live music, comedy, quizzes and open mic nights, aiming to re establish the Donkey as one of Leicester’s leading music venues.
Jonathan Wainright said: “The Donkey is a legendary pub. There had been concerns for its future and we’ve had a terrific response to the plans to revive it. Performance spaces are vital but are declining. We want The Donkey to be an asset to Leicester’s music scene again and a brilliant local.”
Vagabond opens fifth site in under a year
Vagabond has opened its latest wine bar in Canary Wharf, marking its fifth new venue in less than a year as the business targets 25 sites over the next five years.
The 4,000sq ft Park Drive venue offers more than 120 wines by the glass through the operator’s self-pour tap system and includes a private events space overlooking the water.
The opening follows launches in St Paul’s, Liverpool Street, Canada Water and Soho since September 2025, taking the estate to 14 venues.
The business, owned by Majestic Wine Group and Fortress Investment Group, plans to expand into major towns and cities across the UK.
Interim managing director Graham Hall said: “We’re delighted to join the amazing mix of bars and restaurants that are thriving here. We know that our unique tap-and-pour experience will bring something new and complementary to Canary Wharf.”
Proper Pubs invests £390k in Bootle community local
Proper Pubs has invested almost £390k refurbishing the Albion in Bootle as part of its ongoing investment programme across its community pub estate.
The Admiral Taverns division reopened the pub on 24 July following a refurbishment that included new flooring, fixtures and fittings, an updated bar, games and snug areas, alongside a dartboard, two pool tables and a refurbished 50 seat beer garden.
Operator Philip Maher said: “The transformation has given the Albion a fresh new look while retaining the character that makes it such an important part of the community.”
The pub will host weekly quizzes and live music, monthly karaoke and community fundraising initiatives, including support for Claire House Children’s Hospice and plans to install a defibrillator.
St Austell acquires Somerset gastropub
St Austell Brewery has expanded its leased and tenanted (L&T) estate with the acquisition of the Bird in Hand in North Curry, Somerset.
The pub will continue to be operated by NNI Management, with Ravi Keshri and James Eyre overseeing the business after leading its turnaround from a closed site into a food-led community pub over the past year.
The acquisition strengthens St Austell’s presence in Somerset and adds to its estate of more than 120 L&T pubs.
Operations director Gareth James said: “The Bird in Hand is a great strategic fit and exactly the type of quality pub we look for within our leased and tenanted estate. It’s a thriving community local in an area of Somerset where we see real opportunity to strengthen our presence.”
The acquisition means the pub will begin serving St Austell beers including Tribute, Proper Job, Korev and Proper Job 0.5%.
Star expands Scottish managed pub estate
Star Pubs has invested £280k refurbishing Edinburgh pub Joseph Pearce, as it expands its managed operator model in Scotland.
The Category A listed pub has reopened as the 14th Scottish site operating under Star’s Just Add Talent (JAT) agreement, forming part of the company’s £3.08m Scottish investment programme for 2026.
The refurbishment included a full restoration of the pub’s exterior, a redesigned interior, a new kitchen and a lounge dining area for private events.
Former Joseph Pearce regular Paul Henderson has taken over the pub under the JAT model after leaving a career in social care.
Henderson said: “I didn’t know managed operator pubs existed until Joseph Pearce was advertised. It’s affordable and comes with incredible support. It feels like a calling and that the stars have aligned in enabling me to operate my local.”
Star Pubs operations director for Scotland Matt Dyson said the company planned further JAT openings north of the border, adding that it had “some exciting sites earmarked with refurbishments attached”.
Proper Pubs invests £376k in Hull local
Proper Pubs has invested more than £376k refurbishing the Meadows in Bransholme, Hull, as part of its ongoing investment programme across its community pub estate.
The division reopened the pub on 23 July following a refurbishment that included new flooring, fixtures and fittings, six televisions, two dartboards, a pool table and a refurbished 150 seat beer garden.
The site is now operated by Steph Moynes, who brings almost 20 years of hospitality experience to the role.
The pub will host weekly DJs, karaoke and live music, alongside community fundraising initiatives and foodbank collections.
